Joint interface for laminate structures

ABSTRACT

A laminate structure is provided. The laminate structure includes a plurality of laminate layers. The laminate structure also includes a joint interface. The joint interface includes a retention member at least partially disposed between any two of the plurality of laminate layers. Further, the retention member has an opening for receiving a pin retaining member. The retention member is configured to provide a surface for transitioning the pin retaining member to the laminate structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to laminate structures and moreparticularly to the laminate structure used in a linkage member for amachine.

BACKGROUND

Pin joints in a linkage member may be used to connect the linkage memberto different components of a machine. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,316,709 relates to manufacturing a dipper stick having a box shapedstructure including an outer casing member. The outer casing member isformed of a high strength polymeric composite material. An inner fillercomprising polyurethane foam is disposed inside the outer casing memberin order to be integrated with the outer casing member. A plurality ofbushing holders made of polymeric composite material are disposed atrespective connecting portions of the box shaped structure in order tobe integrated with the box shaped structure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a laminate structure isprovided. The laminate structure includes a plurality of laminatelayers. The laminate structure also includes a joint interface. Thejoint interface includes a retention member at least partially disposedbetween any two of the plurality of laminate layers. Further, theretention member has an opening for receiving a pin retaining member.The retention member is configured to provide a surface fortransitioning the pin retaining member to the laminate structure.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary machine, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a stick of the machine having a plane OO;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stick along the plane OO shownin FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a joint interface having a retentionmember;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views of various types of the retentionmember; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of various types of a laminatestructure including the retention member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary machine 100 according to one embodimentof the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the machine 100 may embodyan excavator 102. It should be noted that the machine 100 may includeother industrial machines such as a back hoe loader, shovel, or anyother construction machines that are known in the art, and morespecifically machines that make use of linkage members. As shown in FIG.1, the machine 100 may include a body 104 that is rotatably mounted ontracks 106.

Further, the machine 100 may include a linkage member such as a boom 110which is pivotally mounted on the body 104. The boom 110 may extendoutwards. A hydraulic cylinder 114 (or a pair of cylinders), controlledby an operator sitting in an operator cab 116 or by a machine controlsystem, may move the boom 110 relative to the body 104 during operation.

Also, a stick 118 may be pivotally mounted at a pivot point 120 to anouter end of the boom 110. Similarly, a hydraulic cylinder 122 may beused to move the stick 118 relative to the boom 110 about the pivotpoint 120 during excavation. Further, a bucket 124 may be pivotallymounted at a pivot point 126 to an outer end of the stick 118. Ahydraulic cylinder 128 may move the bucket 124 relative to the stick 118about the pivot 126 during the operation.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the stick 118 having a plane OO.The stick 118 may include a number of joint interfaces 202 A-C forconnecting the stick 118 to other components of the machine 100 via pinjoints or bolted joints. For example, in the excavator 102, the stick118 and the boom 110 may be connected at the joint interface 202 C, thestick 118 and the bucket 124 may be connected at the joint interface 202A, and the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stick 118 along theplane OO. It should be noted that at least a portion of the stick 118may have a solid beam construction, wherein the stick 118 may be made ofa laminate structure 302. More specifically, the joint interfaces 202A-C may have such a construction. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that although the joint interfaces 202 A-C described hereinare associated with the stick 118, other joint interfaces present on theboom 110 and/or the bucket 124 also lie within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the laminatestructure 302 may include a plurality of laminate layers 401 (see FIG.4). In one embodiment, the plurality of laminate layers 401 may furtherinclude a layup of polymeric composites. In another embodiment, theplurality of laminate layers 401 may include self reinforced polymersbased on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide orpolyurethane. Additionally, in yet another embodiment, the plurality oflaminate layers 401 may include various thermoplastic or thermosetpolymers and composites.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of any one of the jointinterfaces 202 A-C shown in FIG. 3. The present disclosure relates to aretention member 402 positioned in between the plurality of laminatelayers 401 and in proximity to the any of the joint interfaces 202 A-C.The retention member 402 is configured to provide a surface fortransitioning of a pin retaining member 404 to the plurality of laminatelayers 401 at the joint interface 202 A-C. The pin retaining member 404is configured to receive a pin. As shown in the accompanied figures, theretention member 402 may be made up of a metal, like steel, or any othersuitable material. The retention member 402 may resemble a flat washerlike structure such that the retention member 402 is at least partiallydisposed between any two of the plurality of laminate layers 401.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views of different types of the retentionmember 402 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.As shown in the accompanied figures, the retention member 402 includes acircular opening having an inner diameter D. Thickness of the retentionmember 402 may vary. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, acylindrical pin retaining member 404 may be fitted in contact with theinner diameter D of the retention member 402. It should be noted that adiameter of the pin retaining member 404 may be slightly larger than theinner diameter D of the retention member 402, in order to form a pressfit assembly. In one embodiment, the pin retaining member 404 may bemade of steel. Moreover, the pin retaining member 404 may define a bore406 configured to receive the pin.

Further, in another embodiment, an inner surface of the pin retainingmember 404 may include threads (not shown in figures). The threads maybe configured to mate with corresponding threads of a bolt. In anotherembodiment, a sleeve (not shown in figures) may be provided between theretention member 402 and the pin retaining member 404. The sleeve may bemade of metal. It should be noted that the sleeve may be provided inorder to control press-fit forces during assembly.

An outer diameter of the retention member 402 may have a variety ofshapes. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer diameterof the retention member 402 may have a circular shape. Alternatively,the outer diameter of the retention member 402 may have a tear dropshape, a polygonal shape, or any other shape based on the application.In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a surface of the retentionmember 402 may include a plurality of perforations 602 in the form ofholes, slits, slots, crosses, and the like. The plurality ofperforations 602 may be configured to allow adjacent self reinforcedpolymer layers of the plurality of laminate layers 401 to bond with eachother. This may provide mechanical locking and interface bonding of theplurality of laminate layers 401 through the retention member 402.Parameters such as the pattern of the perforations 602 on the surface,number of the perforations 602, size of the perforations 602, and thelike may vary without any limitation.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate different types of the laminate structure 302.Referring to FIG. 7, one or more sections 702 of the plurality oflaminate layers 401 may be bolted together. For example, a number of thesections 702 having a thickness of approximately about two inches may becombined in this manner. In one embodiment, an adhesive may be providedbetween the one or more sections 702. A combination of the adhesive andthe bolting may provide improved resistance to inter laminar shear andlayer separation in the plurality of laminate layers 401. Further, inone embodiment, a flange 704 may be provided on the inner diameter D ofthe retention member 402, such that the flange 704 may extend in adirection transverse to the surface of the retention member 402.Further, as shown in the accompanied figures, the flange 704 may beparallel to and in contact with the pin retaining member 404.

Referring to FIG. 8, the one or more sections 702 of the plurality oflaminate layers 302 may be glued or stuck together using any suitableadhesive. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, a plurality of theretention members 402 may be provided in a spaced apart arrangement inbetween the plurality of laminate layers 302. Further, in oneembodiment, the arrangement of the plurality of retention members 402may be symmetrical about both sides of any of the joint interfaces 202A-C. In another embodiment, the retention members 402 may be provided oneither side of the any of the joint interfaces 202 A-C, such that eachof the retention members 402 is provided in between alternate sectionsof the plurality of laminate layers 401. In one example, each of theretention members 402 may be equally spaced apart from each other (seeFIGS. 4 and 7). In another example, as shown in FIG. 8, the retentionmembers 402 may be closely spaced at outer edges of the any of the jointinterfaces 202 A-C.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As against using box beam or tubular structures, an alternative laminatesolid type construction may be used in the manufacture of the linkagemember, for example, like the stick 118, the boom 110, and/or the bucket124 of the machine 100. The laminate structure 302 disclosed herein maybe made of the self reinforced polymers. The self reinforced polymer mayhave a lower modulus than traditional laminates. These laminatestructures 302 may be relatively thicker in order to increase apotential load bearing surface at the any of the joint interface 202A-C. However, due to the low modulus of the laminate structure 302, thelaminate structure 302 may be more susceptible to yielding of the joint.More specifically, it may be difficult to create a relatively goodinterface between the plurality of laminate layers 401 and the pinretaining member 404.

In the present disclosure the retention member 402 may be interleavedbetween the plurality of laminate layers 401. The arrangement of theplurality of the retention members 402 may provide the surface for thetransitioning of the metallic pin retaining member 404 to thenon-metallic plurality of laminate layers 401 at the any of the jointinterfaces 202 A-C in such a way that may be favorable from a stress andloading standpoint.

An exemplary method of manufacturing the laminate structure 302 havingthe retention member 402 will now be described. Initially, at least onesection 702 of the laminate structure 302 including the plurality oflaminate layers 401 may be placed on either side of a locating fixture.The locating fixture may typically have a cylindrical shape. Thereafter,the retention member 402 may be placed between the any two of theplurality of laminate layers 401. More specifically, the retentionmember 402 may be placed proximal to the any of the joint interfaces 202A-C. The above procedure may be repeated until a stack or layup of theplurality of laminate layers 401 of a desired thickness is formed. Itshould be noted that each of the sections 702 may include consolidatedsections of the plurality of laminate layers 401 made up of the polymeror composite materials.

Further, the layup of the plurality of laminate layers 401 and theplurality of retention members 402 may be consolidated at apre-determined temperature. It should be noted that standard autoclavingprocesses, hydroclaving processes, press-consolidation or combination ofany other similar such methods known in the art may be used for finalconsolidation of the structure. In one embodiment, the locating fixturemay be removed and the pin retaining member 404 may be press fit intothe laminate structure 302 after the final consolidation.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the method ofmanufacturing the laminate structure 302 described above is merely on anexemplary basis and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. Also,the stick 118 and the machine 100 described herein is exemplary. Thepresent disclosure may also be utilized on numerous other componentsthat require bolted joints or pinned interfaces. Additionally, thedisclosure may be used in a variety of applications, especially if thereis a need to provide the metallic pin joint in order to handle highloads in the application.

Although the embodiments of this disclosure as described herein may beincorporated without departing from the scope of the following claims,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made. Other embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the disclosure. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laminate structure comprising: a plurality oflaminate layers; and a joint interface comprising a retention member atleast partially disposed between any two of the plurality of laminatelayers, the retention member having an opening for receiving a pinretaining member, wherein the retention member is configured to providea surface for transitioning the pin retaining member to the laminatestructure.
 2. The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the retentionmember further includes a plurality of perforations, the plurality ofperforations configured to provide mechanical locking between the anytwo of the plurality of laminate layers.
 3. The laminate structure ofclaim 1, wherein the opening of the retention member has a circularconfiguration.
 4. The laminate structure of claim 1 further including aflange provided at the opening of the retention member.
 5. The laminatestructure of claim 1 further including a metallic sleeve fitted incontact between the retention member and the pin retaining member. 6.The laminate structure of claim 1 further including threads provided onan inner surface of the pin retaining member, the threads configured tomate with corresponding threads provided on a bolt.
 7. The laminatestructure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the retention members isprovided in a spaced apart arrangement within the laminate structure. 8.The laminate structure of claim 7, wherein the plurality of retentionmembers are closely spaced at outer edges of the joint interface.
 9. Thelaminate structure of claim 1, wherein the retention member is made ofmetal.
 10. The laminate structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality oflaminate layers comprise self reinforced polymer.
 11. A linkage memberfor a machine, the linkage member comprising: a laminate structurepresent in at least a portion of the linkage member, the laminatestructure including: a plurality of laminate layers; and a jointinterface comprising a retention member at least partially disposedbetween any two of the plurality of laminate layers, the retentionmember having an opening for receiving a pin retaining member, whereinthe retention member is configured to provide a surface fortransitioning the pin retaining member to the laminate structure. 12.The linkage member of claim 11, wherein the retention member furtherincludes a plurality of perforations, the plurality of perforationsconfigured to provide mechanical locking between the any two of theplurality of laminate layers.
 13. The linkage member of claim 11,wherein the opening of the retention member has a circularconfiguration.
 14. The linkage member of claim 11 further including aflange provided at the opening of the retention member.
 15. The linkagemember of claim 11 further including a metallic sleeve fitted in contactbetween the retention member and the pin retaining member.
 16. Thelinkage member of claim 11 further including threads provided on aninner surface of the pin retaining member, the threads configured tomate with corresponding threads provided on a bolt.
 17. The linkagemember of claim 11, wherein a plurality of the retention members isprovided in a spaced apart arrangement within the laminate structure.18. The linkage member of claim 17, wherein the plurality of retentionmembers are closely spaced at outer edges of the joint interface.
 19. Amachine comprising: a power source; a linkage member for the machine,the linkage member including at least one of a stick, a boom, and abucket; and wherein the at least one of the stick, the boom, and thebucket is constructed from a laminate structure, the laminate structureincluding: a plurality of laminate layers; and a joint interfacecomprising a retention member at least partially disposed between anytwo of the plurality of laminate layers, the retention member having anopening for receiving a pin retaining member, wherein the retentionmember is configured to provide a surface for transitioning the pinretaining member to the laminate structure.
 20. The machine of claim 19,wherein the machine includes any one of an excavator, a backhoe loader,a wheel loader, and a track loader.